More than 100 furious Luton fans called for the club's board to resign and some made threats of violence during today's home defeat by Ipswich.

Police were called to quell the tension as supporters voiced their fury at chairman Bill Tomlins, with six even turning away from the pitch to face the directors' box and demand his departure, and others chanting 'Tomlins, watch your back'.

Tomlins was flanked by police when left his seat in the 89th minute, with fans jeering as he left.

This was the Hatters' sixth successive Coca-Cola Championship defeat and left them staring at relegation - two days after the sacking of manager Mike Newell.

The fans' mood was not helped by the action on the pitch, where Ipswich prevailed thanks to goals either side of half-time from Alan Lee and substitute Matt Richards, condemning Hatters caretaker-boss Brian Stein to defeat in his first game in charge.

Newell was dismissed on Thursday, less than 48 hours after criticising the board's transfer policy, when he questioned what had happened to the £9million raised in player sales since the summer of 2005.

The board denied in the matchday programme that they had tied Newell's hands in the transfer market, and vowed to publish "summary details of the football business" on the club's website, www.lutontownfc.co.uk, on Monday.

But despite their words, it took only five minutes for a section of the home fans to begin chanting 'sack the board'.

After an uncertain start, Luton came close in the 13th minute when Clarke Carlisle, who is on loan from their bitter rivals Watford, struck a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area which Lewis Price did well to tip over.

With little action of note happening on the pitch, the Luton supporters again expressed their frustration, directing their anger at Tomlins and chanting 'where's the money gone'.

Since the summer of 2005, Luton made almost £9million from the sales of Curtis Davies, Steve Howard, Kevin Nicholls, Carlos Edwards and Rowan Vine, and fans do not believe the squad has been strengthened adequately since their departures.

Ipswich skipper Jason De Vos was off the pitch for 12 minutes after sustaining a facial injury, leaving Ipswich with only 10 men for a significant spell.

Six minutes before half-time, Luton were punished when Alex Bruce volleyed Roberts' free-kick against the bar, and Lee was quickest off the mark to head in the rebound.

Just after the break, a group of six supporters turned towards the directors' box, chanting 'sack the board' and 'Tomlins out', and Richards' 62nd-minute goal - a volley from close range following Fabian Wilnis' right-wing cross - served only to increase their fury.

Police moved in to lead them away, but about 100 fans gathered at the back of the main stand to continue the protests.

With more demonstrations of anger expected after the game, it remains to be seen whether Tomlins will consider his position.

Teams:

Luton Beresford, Keane, Carlisle, Heikkinen,Emanuel (Coyne 46), Foley (Runstrom 79), Barnett, Robinson,Bell, Talbot, Idrizaj (Feeney 46).

Subs Not Used: Brill, O'Leary.

Booked: Robinson, Barnett.

Ipswich Price, Wilnis, De Vos, Bruce, Garvan,Walters (Clarke 86), Legwinski (Richards 27), Wright, Williams,Lee (Haynes 74), Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Supple, O'Callaghan.

Goals: Lee 39, Richards 62.

Att: 8,880

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).